In this paper, we investigate the conditions required for the 3 and 17 Earth mass solid planets in the Kepler-10 system to have formed through collisions and mergers within an […]
exoplanet
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Probing the Terrestrial Regions of Planetary Systems: Warm Debris Disks with Emission Features
Observations of debris disks allow for the study of planetary systems, even where planets have not been detected. However, debris disks are often only characterized by unresolved infrared excesses that […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Effects of Refraction on Transit Transmission Spectroscopy: Application to Earth-like Exoplanets
We quantify the effects of refraction in transit transmission spectroscopy on spectral absorption features and on temporal variations that could be used to obtain altitude-dependent spectra for planets orbiting stars […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Planet Bonanza Hints of Worlds Similar to Our Own
For planet hunters, this has been a bountiful year. A team lead of astronomers at the SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center have used data from NASA’s Kepler space […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Earth-like Habitats in Planetary Systems
Understanding the concept of habitability is related to an evolutionary knowledge of the particular planet-in-question. Additional indications so-called “systemic aspects” of the planetary system as a whole governs a particular […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Formation, Tidal Evolution and Habitability of the Kepler-186 System
The Kepler-186 system consists of five planets orbiting an early-M dwarf. The planets have physical radii of 1.0-1.50 Rā and orbital periods of 4 to 130 days. The 1.1Ā Rā Kepler-186f […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
New Rocky Planet May Have Liquid Water
San Francisco State University astronomer Stephen Kane and an international team of researchers have announced the discovery of a new rocky planet that could potentially have liquid water on its […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Effect of Planetary Illumination on Climate Modelling of Earthlike Exomoons
From analytical studies of tidal heating, eclipses and planetary illumination, it is clear that the exomoon habitable zone (EHZ) – the set of moon and host planet orbits that permit […]
Posted inEducation and Outreach, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Exoplanet Education Guide
The discovery and characterization of exoplanets is one of the most exciting and fast-changing areas in modern astronomical research. As a result, Astronomy 101 instructors have had trouble keeping up […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Atmospheric Pressure on Exoplanets
NAI-funded astrobiologists at the University of Washington have developed a new method of gauging the atmospheric pressure of exoplanets, or worlds beyond the solar system, by looking for a certain […]